What to Do if Your Plumbing Freezes

Posted by Gary Gray on Jan 22, 2020

It's true, Jacksonville FL rarely sees temperatures that drop
below freezing, but it
happens, and when it does, your home's pipes could freeze.
That's because in the South, many homeowners don't insulate their
pipes.

We've gotten plenty of panicked calls from customers who don't
know what to do about it. As frozen pipes can lead to property
damage, it's good to be concerned, but there's no need to panic!
Here's all you need to know to handle frozen pipes, if and when,
they occur.

Check to See if the Pipes Are Frozen or Busted

Water sitting in pipes can easily freeze and cause a busted
pipe. If you suspect your plumbing is frozen, the first step is to
check your piping. If it looks solid and intact, it's likely just
frozen. But if a pipe looks like it's split, you have a problem
best left to a professional plumber. If you see an outside pipe
that's covered in ice or is spraying water, that also indicates a
snap. Turn off the water main and call for a repair!

Broken Pipes Need Emergency Repair

Once you're aware you have a broken pipe, act quickly:

Immediately turn off the water supply at the main valve.

Close all faucets.

To drain water away from your home, open only the lowest hot
and cold faucets in the house.

Don't Use the Toilet if the Water Supply is Broken

Keep in mind that when you turn off the water supply, indoor
plumbing doesn't do its job. While there are ways to flush a toilet
when the water is shut off, such as manually filling the tank with
water from another source, if a pipe is broken and you continue to
flush the toilet, serious damage can occur. Even the smallest of
trickles from a little hole can damage drywall, ruin floors, and
cause thousands of dollars in damage.

Use a Hair Dryer or Heater to Thaw Small Freezes

If one or more pipes is simply frozen, you can use a hair dryer
or small heater to thaw them. Here's how to safely do it:

Turn on the faucet and keep it running. Even a small drip from
faucets can keep frozen pipes from bursting.

Slowly apply heat to the frozen area but be careful to not let
the source of heat touch the water.

Once full water pressure is restored, leave the faucet running
for several minutes so any accumulated ice clears the pipes.

Be patient when thawing frozen pipes and don't give in to any
temptation to speed up the process by using open flames or placing
the heating device directly on the pipe. You can also speed things
up by opening cabinets and crawl space doors so heat from the house
can enter them.

Call Your Plumber

If any problems persist, contact a licensed plumber. Be sure to
ask about having vulnerable pipes
protected from future cold snaps.

For more than 25 years, David Gray Plumbing has been serving the
plumbing needs of Jacksonville, FL homeowners and we're here to
answer any questions you have. To learn more about all the services
we offer, or to schedule regular plumbing maintenance, give us a
call at (904) 724-7211 or contact
us online today.